Nelson Mandela, one of the world's most celebrated champions of peace and equality, died on December 5th, 2013. Magnum photographers have photographed Mandela throughout his life, documenting his rise to power in South African politics and the indelible marks of change, freedom and hope he left on his home country and beyond.

In the hours following Mandela's passing, Magnum's Mikhael Subotzky, a native South African, Bieke Depoorter, a Belgian teaching a photography workshop in Thokoza, and Dominic Nahr, based in Africa, captured a country in limbo between jubilant celebration of a historic life and somber mourning of a leader deeply tied to the national identity.

Magnum Photos is a photographic cooperative of great diversity and distinction owned by its photographer members. With powerful individual vision, Magnum photographers chronicle the world and interpret its peoples, events, issues and personalities.